Season for Caring: Where are they now: Virginia Garcia

Virginia Garcia is the primary caretaker for her son, Robert, 34, who has multiple sclerosis. Virginia, 61, also had throat cancer two years ago. He has been in and out of the hospital since July. Robert basically can't move at all so Virginia has to do everything for him.
LAURA SKELDING/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Virginia Garcia was the primary caretaker for her son, Robert, 34, who has multiple sclerosis. Virginia, 62, also had throat cancer two years ago. He had been in and out of the hospital since July 2014 before he died in February.LAURA SKELDING/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Last February, Virginia Garcia gathered friends and family and many of the people who had helped her and her son, Robert, at their Austin home for his big birthday celebration. It would be some of his final days.

Robert Garcia, who had had multiple sclerosis for 10 years, died at age 35 on Feb. 28. Even though Thanksgiving and Christmas will be hard this year, Virginia Garcia looks back at that party with gratitude.

The Garcias, who were nominated by Interfaith Action of Central Texas, needed many things, including adjustments to their house to make it more accessible for Robert Garcia and cleaning supplies to keep his room germ-free.

Virginia Garcia says she wishes she could thank every person who donated to Season for Caring and helped give her son one last party. “It made life easier for him,” she says. “I don’t know how to express it. It brought a warm feeling that people cared.”

Season for Caring money continued to help Virginia Garcia throughout the year, including paying a summer electric bill that was “sky high.”

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